The Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude
John 14:15-31
The reading for today from St. John’s Gospel is packed with promise and hope. Jesus declares to his disciples that, being emboldened and empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit, they will experience a divine peace which will set troubled hearts to rest and banish all fears.
The message of promise and hope which Jesus offers is heard by a small group of people who have followed him, watched him and listened to him for several years. They have reached that moment where they have heard the story of how God delivered the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt through the experience of the Passover story. Gathered around in that intimate fellowship and meal, they have heard Jesus use signs and symbols of freedom in a new way.
“This is my Body…this is my Blood of the New Covenant”, these are words which transform familiar signs and symbols of tradition into new realities. Going out into the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit, this small group of individuals will offer a life – changing, world – changing message of promise and hope.
Two of that number are remembered today as they committed their lives to the mission and ministry in the name of Jesus. Stories surrounding Simon and Jude are not as detailed as we might hope. One of the traditions associated with their ministry was that they were martyred for their faith in an area known then as Persia.
In recent days, I have been made aware of the tragic reality that in the part of the world where Simon and Jude were martyred, followers of Jesus are facing persecution. On homes and businesses the letter “N” is being painted as a marker. The followers of the Nazarene (Jesus) are being singled out for prosecution and persecution. I have been wearing a pin with that letter, as it is written in Arabic, as an act of solidarity with those who are living their lives on the knife edge of persecution. It may seem like a relatively insignificant action, yet in some way, it makes a statement that those whose lives are in danger are being upheld by the prayers of the Body of Christ around the world.
Each of us has the opportunity to offer our prayerful support for those who are facing persecution. Each of us has the opportunity to bear witness to our Lord . Each of us, as we open our hearts and souls and minds to the movement of the Spirit of God moving within us has the opportunity to experience that gift of Peace which Jesus has promised to all those who claim him as their Saviour.
It is my hope and prayer that each of us, empowered by the Holy Spirit and filled with an awareness of God’s Peace may be faithful witnesses to Jesus in our daily lives.
- Reverend Canon Christopher Pratt
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